North West Youth Accommodation Service Inc.

02/09/2026

NWYAS wants to say a HUGE thank you to our community! 🥰

What a wonderful day we had on Saturday, 22 August at Bunnings Keperra, raising funds and awareness to support young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

We’d like to say a very special thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success!
- Lions Club of Brisbane Bunya Inc and two community members, Mike and Joan made sizeable donation to help cover our out-of-pocket costs for supplies. Your support means more of the funds raised on the day can go directly towards supporting young people engaged in our programs.
- Bunnings Keperra for donating two eskies to help keep the snags and drinks cold!
- Michelle Debert and Maree Stanley, from our Board for volunteering their time to support us through the lunch rush!
- Verve Portraits for generously donating a photography package for us to raffle off at our stall.

We’re also incredibly grateful to everyone in the community who stopped by, bought a sausage, entered our raffle, purchased a cookbook, made a donation, or simply took the time to chat with us and learn more about youth homelessness. Every contribution, big or small, plays a part in helping NWYAS provide support, opportunities and pathways for young people. 🫶

21/08/2026

COME JOIN NWYAS AT BUNNINGS THIS SATURDAY! 🌭🔥😎

We're raising funds to support the young people who access our service, because having a safe place to live is just the beginning!

The funds raised will go towards the extra things that help young people build safe, stable and sustainable futures. Whether it’s practical support, opportunities to connect and participate or simply having a few of life’s essentials covered, your support can make a real difference.

We'll also be selling copies of our Cookbook, developed alongside young people from our service. Come say hello, grab a snag and pick up a cookbook before they sell out!

10/08/2026

NWYAS is closed on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.
If you require support during this time, please reach out to the below services.
NWYAS Team 💜

06/08/2026

More than 122,000 Australians were experiencing homelessness on Census night, and young people aged 15 – 24 continue to be overrepresented. Family conflict, domestic and family violence, the housing crisis and cost of living pressures are just some of the reasons a young person may find themselves without a safe place to call home.

This Homelessness Week, we've been doing what we do best - responding to young people, helping them navigate homelessness, advocating for safe housing, and providing practical support when they need it most.

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible organisations, donors and volunteers who help us go beyond immediate support needs and create opportunities for the young people we work alongside:

♡ StreetSmart Australia – emergency relief support
♡ Mary Mackillop – supporting our Community Cookbook project
♡ TMR – funding support for driving lessons
♡ Bunnings Keperra – supply a space for our fundraising BBQs and stalls
♡ Lady Bowen Trust – welcome packs for young people moving into accommodation
♡ Nundah Computer Project – technology devices to help young people stay connected and access education, employment and support services
♡ Share the Dignity – ensuring we can continue providing period products to those who need them
♡ Our anonymous community donors and volunteers whose generosity, time and kindness make so much of our work possible

We also want to recognise the many homelessness, housing and community service organisations across Brisbane who work tirelessly every day to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Thank you for your dedication, compassion and collaboration. Together, we are stronger.

21/07/2026

National Mobile Test: Sunday, 27 July at 2:00pm (QLD)

On Sunday, 27 July at 2:00pm (QLD), a National Mobile Test will be sent to compatible mobile phones and devices across Australia.

📢 During the test, your device will:
• Vibrate
• Play a loud, siren-like warning sound for around 10 seconds (even if it's on silent)
• Display a message clearly stating that it is a test

⚠️ If you have a hidden or secondary device for your safety, please plan ahead.

To help prevent the alert from sounding:
✅ Turn your device off or switch it to Aeroplane Mode at least one hour before the scheduled test.
✅ Keep it off or disconnected from the mobile network for at least one hour after the test.
✅ If it's safe to do so, consider leaving the device in a secure location (such as at work or with a trusted friend), or somewhere it won't be heard before turning it back on.

For more information on the National Mobile Test:
https://www.ausalert.gov.au/alerts-explained/national-test

For information on staying safe if the alert could put you at risk:
https://www.ausalert.gov.au/community-resources/staying-safe-ausalert

💜 NWYAS Team

If you use a concealed or hidden phone to help keep you safe, including because of domestic and family violence, think about whether receiving emergency warnings on that device is right for your situation.

02/07/2026

The NWYAS team is SO excited to share our community cookbook, created with our young people!

One of our young people illustrated the front cover, and it’s been a real privilege to see their artwork bring the project to life. We’re proud to share this with you and honestly can’t stop looking at it.

The cookbook brings together contributions from young people who have accessed our service. Each person submitted a recipe and a short story about why that dish is meaningful to them. Together, these contributions reflect time, effort, and a willingness to share something personal. That generosity deserves genuine acknowledgement and appreciation, especially from young people who are already carrying a lot.

A sincere thank you to the Mary MacKillop grant for supporting this project and helping make it possible. Your support has helped create something that reflects community in a meaningful and lasting way.

If you’d like to support the project and take home a copy, we’ll be selling the cookbook at our fundraiser table at Bunnings Keperra on Saturday 22 August (10am - 2pm).

02/07/2026

Recently our Young Parents Program (YPP) supported a young mother with a newborn and toddler to find housing.

The family had to leave an unstable situation so we connected them with North West Youth Accommodation Service Inc.

The mum was supported to practice her interview skills for the tenancy interview and interviewed confidently, receiving great feedback about her interview skills. Following the interview, the family were successful in securing the lease and were housed in an area close to their supports and needs.

The YPP was also able to assist the mum to source some items she was needing for the house, including baby proofing, furniture items, and winter clothes for the children through our partnership with Baby Give Back

Secure housing has allowed this mum to have excitement and hope for her future while she focuses on parenting her two young children. She showed tremendous strength and bravery throughout the uncertainty and is looking forward to being the mum she wants to be as well as her career aspirations.

This story is a perfect example of how forming strong relationships with other agencies and stakeholders can really pay dividends in finding timely and person-centred support. It was a privilege to walk alongside this family and see their courage lead to a great outcome.

30/04/2026

NWYAS is closed on Monday, 4th May 2026.
If you require support during this time, please reach out to the below services.
NWYAS Team 💜

15/04/2026

Across Queensland, thousands of young people are facing homelessness, often without the support networks they need.

In 2024-25:
➜ 6,910 children and young people (under 25) presented alone to a Specialist Homelessness Service.
➜ 41% of young people presenting alone identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
➜ Young people were more likely to be couch surfing than any other group - a situation that can leave them vulnerable to exploitation, unsafe environments, and harm.
➜ Nationally, half of the young people who sought a bed in a crisis refuge were turned away because services aren't sufficiently funded to accommodate them.

Here in Brisbane, we see this demand every day. Behind every number is a young person trying to stay safe and find stability. While YHMD shines a light on the issue, the reality for many young people doesn’t end tomorrow. Youth homelessness matters today... and EVERY DAY.

02/04/2026

Happy Easter from NWYAS! 🐰

NWYAS will be closed for the public holidays on Friday 3 April and Monday 6 April.

We know the holidays can be tough for some, so if you need support over the long weekend, you can still reach out to the below services.

NWYAS Team 💜